The Significance of the Chorus in Oedipus Rex

In “Oedipus Rex,” the chorus represents the voice of the typical citizens and contributes insight that can't be communicated by the other characters in the play. The chorus moves along the story by announcing the arrival of characters and answering questions that help the plot progress. Sophocles also utilizes a chorus since it assists the audience to see the story from one a lot more angle, delivering a fuller picture of the scenario. Representing a physique of typical citizens, the chorus is level-headed, agreeably predictable, and candid, usually giving voice to the thoughts and inquiries of the audience. Most importantly, the chorus’ sympathy to Oedipus in the course of this catastrophic period in his life pushes the audience to commiserate with the tragic hero. The chorus serves as the main medium in between the audience and the characters of the play, revealing new perspectives to the audience that the characters themselves can't show. Paul Roche comments in his introduction that the chorus’ “function in the original (helped on by dance, spectacle, and song) was to bridge the gap among the audience and the players and to intensify emotion” (Introduction xviii). The chorus gains the audience’s trust, hence enabling the audience to be open to the chorus’ opinions. This specifically contrasts the audience’s quick reaction to the major characters, whose immorality renders distrust. When King Oedipus accuses Creon of getting a traitor, for example, the audience is not totally certain who to believe. Creon is of course swift to defend himself, “Good citizens, I hurry here / shocked into your presence by a monstrous charge / laid on me by Oedipus the King” (Second Episode 28). King Oedipus responds strongly to Creon “You dare come back? / Have the face to place your foot inside my door? / You the murderer so self-proved” (Second Episode 29). Nevertheless, the chorus speedily measures in and encourages King Oedipus to trust Creon, “He’s never told you lies / before. He’s sworn. Be kind” (Choral Diaogue 37). The audience’s mind is put to rest as the audience is swayed to perceive the chorus as getting fair and affordable. “We are convinced the taunt was produced in anger, not coolly uttered by a mind at calm” (Second Episode 29). The chorus also answers inquiries for the audience. For instance, the chorus asks Oedipus, “Man of havoc, how / Could you hate your sight so? / What demon so possessed you?” (Epilogue, 72). Oedipus in turn answers this query on everyone’s thoughts, “Friends, it was Apollo, spirit of Apollo.” (Epilogue, 73). Numerous wonderings or doubts are fulfilled by way of the chorus. The chorus is also significant in developing the plot and propelling the storyline by way of the use of foreshadow. The chorus foreshadows Oedipus’ doom early on by means of irony, for example, saying, “Yesterday or today / I knew not, nor know of a quarrel / Or a cause, or challenge to challenge / The fame of Oedipus, / Though I seek to avenge the curious death / Of the Labdacid king.” (Second Choral Ode, 28). Antistrophe responds, “So by no means in my thoughts at least / Shall he be guilty of crime.” (Second Choral Ode, 28). Hence, the chorus decisively eliminates Oedipus from getting a murderer since of his reputation. This reflects how oblivious Oedipus was even of his personal crime, leading him to go out of his way to advocate and solve for “the death and downfall of a king” (Prologue, ten). Another important job of the chorus is to anticipate, and then announce, the arrival of a character. When speaking to Creon, the chorus sees Oedipus from afar and says, “But look! He’s coming from the house himself.” (Second Episode, 29). The chorus has the imperative job of bringing to attention Oedipus’ arrival which leads to great conflict. Conversely, the chorus is also responsible for announcing the arrival of Creon just before yet another dramatic conversation between Creon and Oedipus regarding Oedipus’ future, saying, “Wait! Right here Creon comes to hear your pleas and deal with your designs. He takes your place as sole custodian of the State” (Epilogue, 75). Additionally, the chorus’ ability to gain the trust of the audience gives them the chance to manipulate the audience. Following Oedipus’ fantastic demise, the chorus says, “I see it in you Oedipus: Man’s pattern of unblessedness.” (Fifth Choral Ode, 68). The Antistrophe further elaborates, “You who aimed so higher! Who hit life’s topmost prize-accomplishment! Who-Zeus, oh who-.” (Fifth Choral Ode, 68). The chorus does not point out that maybe it was Oedipus who has accomplished incorrect and brought this fate upon himself. Rather, the chorus focuses upon the fragility of human life and on the rapid downfall of males, even “the mighty and when masterful” (Epilogue 81). “You saw him fall. You saw him swept away. / So, getting mortal, look on that final day / And count no man blessed in his life until / He’s crossed life’s bounds unstruck by ruin still” (Epilogue 81). The chorus expresses that all men are destined to be wretched on earth and that only death alone can bring serenity. The chorus’ verdict on life and man influences the audience to grieve for the tragic hero who suffers a catastrophic fate without having fault and, also, for the thought that no man can escape misery. The chorus directly persuades the audience to see the events of this play as supporting a pessimistic stance on life: “A Man, alas, whose anguish fits his fate. We could want that we had by no means recognized you” (Choral Dialogue 73). Sophocles further tends to make use of the chorus by obtaining his message across to the audience with irony. At 1 point, for instance, the chorus says, “But how can we say that your style was excellent? / To reside in blindness? Far better live no longer” (Epilogue 74). Ironically, Oedipus is, for the first time in his life, not blind to his previous. Certainly, it is a subjective matter no matter whether physical blindness is more detrimental to a individual than a mental or emotional blindness. A single attitude is that physical blindness is not almost as important as mental blindness and, consequently, Oedipus ought to rejoice life and his newfound sight. Oedipus’ reaction to the chorus’ distress over his blindness evokes a lot more pity: “What sort of eyes ought to I require / to gaze upon my father’s face in Hades / or my unhappy mother’s: / These twin victims ruined by me / for whom I should be hanged” (Epilogue 74). The audience feels compassion for Oedipus because, despite the part of fate, he asserts that he has carried out wrong and has sinned against his mother, father, youngsters and his city. Oedipus’ belief that he is worthless and abominable presses the audience’s heart. “Pity you, Cithaeron, that you gave me harbor, / took me in and did not kill me straight.” (Epilogue 75). As a result, the chorus is essential to the completion of “Oedipus Rex.” Without the chorus, the story would not be told so efficiently or so richly. It specifically would lack the component of interaction with the audience, rendering observers less immersed in and empathetic to Oedipus’ scenario. The chorus is also essential for the structure and the progression of the plotline by means of foreshadowing. Above all, the chorus guides the audience by explicitly saying what could be inferred and questioning what is doubtful.